Robert Hutchings Goddard, often called the “Father of Modern Rocketry,” was born on October 5, 1882, in Worcester, Massachusetts. From an early age, Goddard showed a restless curiosity about the world around him, asking questions and performing experiments that hinted at the groundbreaking discoveries he would one day make.
On October 4, 1927, work officially began on one of America’s most iconic monuments: the carving of Mount Rushmore in the Black Hills of South Dakota. The project was led by sculptor Gutzon Borglum, whose vision and persistence transformed a simple idea into a towering symbol of national pride and unity.
On October 2, 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed legislation establishing Redwood National Park, protecting some of the most spectacular trees on Earth. This act was the result of decades of effort by conservationists who feared that these natural giants might vanish forever if logging continued unchecked. Today, the park stands not only as a refuge for the towering redwoods but also as a symbol of America’s growing awareness of the importance of preserving its natural treasures.
On September 29, 1899, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) was founded in Columbus, Ohio. It’s grown to become the largest organization for combat veterans in the United States.
On September 28, 1781, American forces launched the last major land battle of the Revolutionary War – the Siege of Yorktown. This decisive clash would lead to the surrender of British General Cornwallis and pave the way for American independence.
On September 26, 1820, famed American pioneer and explorer Daniel Boone died in St. Charles County, Missouri. Boone was a legendary American frontiersman and explorer whose daring adventures helped open the wilderness of Kentucky to early settlers.
After being initially denied entrance to their school, the Little Rock Nine were escorted in by federal troops on September 25, 1957 — a turning point in the Civil Rights Movement and a dramatic test of federal authority over states.
On September 24, 1906, President Theodore Roosevelt took a historic step in the protection of America’s natural and cultural treasures when he proclaimed Devils Tower in northeastern Wyoming as the first United States National Monument. This designation, made under the brand-new Antiquities Act of 1906, marked the beginning of a tradition of preserving special landscapes for future generations — a legacy that continues today in more than a hundred national monuments across the country.
On September 23, 1779, one of the most famous naval battles of the American Revolution took place in the cold waters off the coast of England. It was here that John Paul Jones, a daring and determined naval commander, led his small squadron of American ships against a powerful British convoy. The Battle of Flamborough Head would not only be a dramatic moment in the war but would also help cement Jones’s reputation as one of the boldest naval commanders in history.